Effect of Whole Body Periodic Acceleration on Airway Endothelial Function

Asthma Clinical Trial

Official title: Effect of Whole Body Periodic Acceleration on Airway Endothelial Function in Healthy Smokers, Non-smokers and Asmathics

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In the present proposal the investigators wish to assess the effect of a single session with the device known as Exer-Rest® which applies Whole Body Periodic Acceleration (WBPA) on baseline airway blood flow (Qaw) and in Qaw variation, in current smokers, glucocorticoid-naïve asthmatics, and age-matched healthy never-smokers, with the expectation that the treatment will transiently increase the Qaw, and to a greater extent in the current smokers and patients with asthma who have endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical Trial Description

Endothelial shear stress activates nitric oxide synthase (NOS), leading to endothelium-dependent vasodilation. This can be accomplished through exercise or with a device known as Exer-Rest® which applies Whole Body Periodic Acceleration (WBPA) that is also called pGz. WBPA produces systemic vasodilation, by exerting shear stress on the vascular endothelium, activating endothelial NOS and releasing NO in animal models and human subjects. Cigarette smoking is associated with attenuated vascular relaxation responses in the systemic circulation. Patients with asthma also exhibit endothelial dysfunction in the airway. In this study the investigators wish to assess the effect of a single pGz session on baseline Qaw and delta Qaw in current smokers, glucocorticoid-naïve asthmatics, and age-matched healthy never-smokers to test if this treatment will increase the vascular relaxation responses. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Asthma
• Healthy Control
• Smokers

• NCT number: NCT01213706
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Miami
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2009
• Completion date: May 2011